Abstract: Water draining from a septic tank contains ammonium, which traditionally is oxidized to nitrate in an aerobic soakaway. When the effluent enters the groundwater, the resulting nitrate concentration can be troublesome. A body of organic carbon, e.g. wood chppings, is provided, and the nitrate-laden effluent is passed through the carbon. The carbon is placed in the ground so as to be anaerobic: for example, the carbon may be placed below the water table; or the carbon may be mixed into a layer of fine silt, which is maintained in a state of tension-saturation by the effluent. Under anaerobic conditions, the nitrate is reduced by micro-biological action. The carbon is located such that the effluent naturally flows through the carbon, no pumps etc being required. The carbon may be located directly below the soakaway, or the carbon may be in a trench positioned to the side if the groundwater has a lateral component of flow.

Abstract: The down-hole sampler comprises a reservoir, with screw-down type valves top and bottom. The valves are arranged with the axes of the screw threads vertical. The valve members are integral with the structure of the sampler, whereby even with the valves screwed open, the sampler and the valves remain structurally intact. The sampler has a very slim overall diameter (down to 6 mm) and yet the valves are easy to operate, and sturdy and reliable in operation. The sampler includes a surface-operated check-valve for admitting a water sample into the reservoir.

Abstract: Biologically-active material, particularly hybridoma cells, is immobilized for mass culture in bioreactors to produce biological products, particularly monoclonal antibodies, by ionically-interacting polycationic groups on chitosan with polyanionic groups on a polyanionic water-soluble polymer. Preferably, the chitosan is chitosan acetate and the polyanionic polymer is sodium alginate. In one embodiment, droplets of a suspension of the biologically-active material and water-soluble polymer are gelled by forming a calcium salt of the water-soluble polymer to form temporary capsules, and a sequestering agent for the calcium ions is added to effect ionotropic gelation of the water-soluble polymer and chitosan to form a semi-permeable membrane around each temporary capsule. In another embodiment, porous beads are formed by exposing droplets of a suspension of the biologically active material and water-soluble polymer to an aqueous solution of chitosan and multiple cations.

Abstract: Senescence in perishable plant tissue is inhibited by the application thereto of an effective amount of a compound of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3, R.sub.4 and R.sub.5 are each selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, --OH or --OR.sub.7, provided that at least one of R.sub.1 to R.sub.5 is a hydroxyl group, R.sub.6 is selected from the group consisting of --OH, --OR.sub.8 and --NHR.sub.9, R.sub.7 is a substituent group, R.sub.8 is the residue of an ester-forming compound and R.sub.9 is the residue of an amide-forming compound. The compound may be prepared synthetically and, in some cases, can be isolated from natural sources, for example, the glucose ester of ferulic acid may be isolated from carnation petals.

Abstract: Selective hydrogenation of the carbon-carbon double bonds of conjugated diene copolymers is effected in homogeneous solution in an organic solvent in the presence of certain divalent ruthenium carbonyl complex catalysts containing phosphine ligands having bulky alkyl substituents. The ruthenium catalysts have the general formula:RuXY(CO)ZL.sub.2 (1)orRuX(NO)(CO)L.sub.2 (2)wherein X is a halogen atom, most preferably chlorine, or a carboxylate group, Y is a halogen atom, more preferably chlorine, a hydrogen atom, a phenyl group, a carboxylate group or phenylvinyl group, Z is carbonyl, pyridine, benzontrile, trimethylphosphite or no ligand and L is a phosphine ligand having at least one bulky alkyl substituent, preferably tricyclohexyl or triisopropyl.

Abstract: Heavy crude oil emulsions are converted to lighter essentially sulphur-free and nitrogen-free hydrocarbons by Group VI B or Group VIII B metal compounds or complexes along with carbon monoxide, hydrogen or mixtures of carbon monoxide and hydrogen, and broken without the necessity for prior emulsion treatment and separation.

Abstract: The packing-seal is shown in use in a borehole as a level-isolating seal for a groundwater sampler. The packing-seal shown includes an expandable annulus of Dowell (TM) water-expandable material. Surrounding that is a pressure-sleeve of rubber. A sheet of woven Kevlar (TM) is wrapped circumferentially around the sleeve and the Dowell annulus, such that the ends of the Kevlar sheet overlap. Outside the Kevlar is an outer rubber sleeve. Upon expansion of the packing seal to fill the borehole, the Kevlar sheet unwraps to allow the Dowell to expand without restraint. Once the packing seal has filled the borehole, the Kevlar sheet is prevented from unwrapping further. If the borehole contains a fissure the Kevlar provides a rigid bridge over the fissure, and prevents the packing-seal from ballooning out into the fissure.

Abstract: The efficiency of trickle bed reactors is improved by periodically varying the liquid flow rate through the solids bed of the reactor. The reaction rate, conversion and product concentration can be increased using the novel operating procedure.

Abstract: An enhanced oil recovery process is described wherein oil is recovered from a depleted water-wet formation by the application of a gas to the formation. The flow of gas through the formation causes oil droplets to spontaneously form an oil film on connate water, which is extruded and discharged from the pores. The films pass through the formation under the influence of gravity, gradually accumulating more oil to form an oil mass which enters the producing well bore. A sem-permeable membrane may be used to prevent the inert gas from entering the well bore from the formation.

Abstract: The apparatus includes a sample-holder comprising a tube (16) of thin aluminum, and a piston (12) slidable in the tube. The piston is mounted on a solid, robust piston rod (14). To drive the apparatus down to the depth at which the sample is to be taken, the piston and tube are locked together, and travel down in unison, most of the force of the hammer blows being taken by the robust piston rod. When sampling depth is reached, the piston rod (14) is uncoupled, and the piston (12) is restrained by means of a cable (36) to the surface; further hammering now drives only the tube (16) downwards, not the piston. The tube being thin, the drive force is must less, whereby the tube does not collapse, as the sample enters the tube.

Abstract: Particulates in the form of fine dust are removed from gas streams by impinging the particles on screens located in the path of the particles to result in the build up of a deposit on the mesh, until the deposits grow to a sufficient size that the combined effect of gravity and gas flow dislodges the deposits, which are collected.

Abstract: Novel blended membranes are disclosed useful for the pervaporation separation of water-acetic acid mixtures and other miscible multicomponent systems. The blended membranes are formed from polyacrylic acid and nylon 6 or from polyvinyl alcohol, polyacrylic acid and nylon 4 or 6 by blending solutions of the materials, casting the blend and cross-linking the cast membrane.

Abstract: Iron-containing zinc sulfide concentrate is processed to recover zinc values therefrom. The concentrate is roasted to convert zinc sulfide and iron sulfide to their oxides while adequate sulfide-sulfur is retained to maintain the iron values in the ferrous state and thereby avoid ferrite formation. Zinc oxide and iron oxide values are recovered from the roast, simultaneously or sequentially, and residual zinc sulfide may be recycled to the roasting step.

Abstract: Gas reacting apparatus and method are described for wet mass transfer of solute gases from a gas stream with a liquid or slurry reacting medium capable of chemisorption of solute gases in the gas stream. The apparatus comprises an elongated conduit means defining a primary reaction zone in fluid-flow communication with a fan means defining both a secondary reaction zone and a spray coalescence zone, and plurality of dual fluid spray means coaxially spaced in series within the conduit means and countercurrently or cocurrently directed to the gas stream for spraying the liquid or slurry reacting medium into said conduit means to form a plurality of spray contact zones of uniformly-distributed fine droplets wherein intimate contact of high interfacial surface area between the sprayed liquid or slurry and the gas stream is effected to remove solute gases from the gas stream.

Abstract: The LAN system disclosed is a development of the WELNET (TM) system, in which scheduling arrangement between the stations is controlled by a scheduling channel in the form of a loop, separate from the main information channel. The invention provides for Voice and Data to be integrated on the LAN. On a periodic cycle, scheduling is interrupted, and each station is invited to put a Voice packet on the main channel. When the system goes back to Data, the system is so configured as to resume at the station which was about to transmit Data when the schedule was interrupted for Voice.

Abstract: An automated gas measuring system comprises a constant pressure reactor system and a gas consumption monitoring system. A pressure drop in the reactor as a result of gas consumption is detected and the flow rate of gas to the reactor is adjusted to compensate for the pressure drop. Gas consumption is determined by measuring a drop in pressure in a gas holder due to the flow of gas from it to the constant pressure reactor system. The operations are controlled and automated by a control algorithm in a microcomputer.

Abstract: Selective hydrogenation of the carbon-carbon double bonds of conjugated diene copolymers is effective homogeneous solution in an organic solvent in the presence of certain divalent ruthenium carbonyl complex catalysts. The ruthenium catalysts have the general formula:Ru(CO)HA(Z).sub.3 ( 1)wherein A is a halogen atom, most preferably chlorine, or a hydrogen atom and Z is -PR.sub.1 R.sub.2 R.sub.3 in which R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are the same or different and are selected from alkyl and aryl groups, preferably all the phenyl group, or have the general formula:Ru(CO)XY(Z).sub.2 ( 2)wherein X is a carboxylate group, particularly ClCH.sub.2 COO--, Cl.sub.2 CHCOO--, Cl.sub.3 CCOO--, F.sub.3 CCOO--, CH.sub.3 COO--, C.sub.6 H.sub.5 COO-- or p--ClC.sub.6 H.sub.4 COO--, y is a halogen atom, preferably a chlorine atom or a bromine atom, or a hydrogen atom or a carboxylate group, Z is as defined above.

Abstract: Selective hydrogenation of the carbon-carbon double bonds of conjugated diene copolymers is effective homogeneous solution in an organic solvent in the presence of certain divalent ruthenium carbonyl complex catalysts. The ruthenium catalysts have the general formula:Ru(CO)HA(Z).sub.3 (1)wherein A is a halogen atom, most preferably chlorine, or a hydrogen atom and Z is --PR.sub.1 R.sub.2 R.sub.3 in which R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are the same or different and are selected from alkyl and aryl groups, preferably all the phenyl group, or have the general formula:Ru(CO)XY(Z).sub.2 (2)wherein X is a carboxylate group, particularly ClCH.sub.2 COO--, Cl.sub.2 CHCOO--, Cl.sub.3 CCOO--, F.sub.3 CCOO--, CH.sub.3 COO--, C.sub.6 H.sub.5 COO-- or p--ClC.sub.6 H.sub.4 COO--, Y is a halogen atom, preferably a chlorine atom or a bromine atom, or a hydrogen atom or a carboxylate group, Z is as defined above; or have the general formula:Ru T(CO)(NO)(Z).sub.

Abstract: In the conventional incineration of solid waste materials, flyash present in the combustion products gas stream catalyzes the formation of toxic dioxins from chlorinated organic materials. By providing a catalyst poison, such as carbon disulphide, in association with the flyash, typically by spraying onto the solid wastes prior to incineration, the catalytic effect is decreased, resulting in decreased dioxin formation.

Abstract: The LAN system disclosed is a development of the WELNET.RTM. system, in which scheduling arrangements between the stations is controlled by a scheduling channel in the form of a loop, separate from the main information channel. The invention provides for Voice and Data to be integrated on the LAN. On a periodic cycle, scheduling is interrupted, and each station is invited to put a Voice packet on the main channel. When the system goes back to Data, the system is so configured as to resume at the station which was about to transmit Data when the schedule was interrupted for Voice.